DPR Seeks Penalties Against Trinkle Ag Flying

SACRAMENTO—Today, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) announced it is seeking monetary and licensing penalties against a Kingsburg-based aerial pesticide applicator, marking the first use of new administrative pesticide use enforcement authority granted by the Legislature in 2023.

The accusation, filed by the California Attorney General’s Office on DPR’s behalf, alleges Trinkle Ag Flying, Inc. caused drift damage to a non-target almond orchard and committed multiple worker safety violations.

“Trinkle Ag Flying has repeatedly violated rules designed to protect people, the environment, and private property,” said DPR Deputy Director of Enforcement Ken Everett. “These are serious violations, and the department will seek serious penalties for unsafe pesticide use to protect all Californians.”

In the accusation, DPR seeks to revoke or suspend the pest control business license of Trinkle Ag Flying, Inc., as well as the qualified applicator and journeyman pilot licenses of owner Mark R. Trinkle, Jr. With a suspended or revoked license, the company would be unable to apply pesticides for hire. The department is also seeking a $30,000 fine.

The accusation alleges a pair of violations occurred in 2024. On January 16, DPR alleges Trinkle Ag Flying, Inc. and Mark R. Trinkle, Jr. violated numerous worker-protection requirements during an application at a Hanford farm. According to the accusation, Mark R. Trinkle, Jr. refused to cooperate with an inspector from the Kings County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office and continued the application despite visible worker health and safety violations involving insufficient protective equipment for employees mixing and handling chemicals.

A month later, on February 13, DPR further alleges that Mark R. Trinkle, Jr., on behalf of Trinkle Ag Flying, Inc., was applying herbicides to a corn field in Visalia when they illegally drifted onto a neighboring almond orchard, causing damages estimated to be over $32,000. The Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office investigated the incident.

“DPR is committed to protecting the health and safety of our communities by stopping the unsafe, illegal use of pesticides,” said Everett. “When violations are identified, we take action to prevent harm and ensure accountability.”

Read the full accusation here.